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Maker Team member Alexis of @felthappysewing specializes in creating felt play companions. She calls them Felt Pals and they're perfect for pretend and sensory play as well as tokens of comfort. Her new tutorial shows you how to make a felt Frog Pal and Lilypad that will have a lucky little one jumping for joy!
Henry the Frog is a pocket-sized stuffie complete with rosy pink cheeks, sweet smile and cute green belly. With all the dragonfly catching he’s been up to, the lilypad lounge has been created to give Henry the much-needed respite he deserves.
Skill Level: Beginner
Time: 1.5 hours
Additional Supplies:
Frog Pal and Lilypad Pattern (click to download)
Iron or Hair Dryer
Sewing machine - optional
Lighter - optional
Directions:
Frog Pal
1. Print Frog and Lilypad Pattern above. Cut out pattern pieces and trace onto corresponding felt colors. Cut.
2. Place Frog Belly on one of the Body pieces. Using a 1/8” seam allowance, stitch together, backstitching at the beginning and end. Snip threads.
You can also hand stitch in place using a whip, or similar, stitch.
3. Using an awl, punch two eye holes using the pattern piece as a guide for eye placement. Insert safety eyes through the holes and attach the backing. To dull the safety eye points, you can light the plastic ends and gently press down using the back of the lighter.
4. Trace a smile with a heat erasable pen. With Black thread, backstitch along the smile using 3-4 short stitches.
5. Add blush to frog cheeks with your finger or a makeup brush. For added flair, hand stitch a small spiral within each blushed cheek.
6. Using fabric glue, adhere Frog Arms.
7. Stitch Frog Body pieces right sides out using a blanket stitch. Double reinforce blanket stitch at the points marked in the photo to ensure stuffing doesn’t come out.
It will be difficult to sew around the eyes. Use smaller stitches, and ensure back of the safety eyes are as flat as possible.
8. When you’ve stitched 3/4 of the way around, begin stuffing, adding a small amount of filling at a time. Stuff until frog is nice and firm. Complete the blanket stitch and knot in place. Run needle through the center of frog and out the back to conceal threads. Snip.
You're done with this cutie! Now let’s make him a lilypad.
Lilypad
9. Lay Flowers 1, 2 and 3 centered on top of one another, largest to smallest. Hand stitch together in the center and conceal the knot on the back of the largest flower.
10. Stitch flower in place, running needle from the back of the Lily Pad to the front of flower, then back down through the Lily Pad. Double knot in place.
11. With right sides facing out, blanket stitch Lily Pad pieces together. Complete blanket stitch and knot in place. Run needle through side and out the back to conceal threads. Snip. You may also add a layer of batting or felt to thicken.
Henry the Frog is ready to bask in the sunlight, “lilypad-side” all summer long!
